W W W . B R S M N . O R G / E X H I B I T O R - R E S O U R C E S

EXHIBITOR FAQ

DEADLINESASAP » NEW Reveal: Tell us what you’re displaying that is ‘new’ and we’ll feature you in the New Reveal for 2020. To participate, complete the online form at www.brsmn.org/exhibitor-resources and upload images of the NEW products/services you’ll be showcasing at the 2020 Builders and Remodelers Show.

ASAP » Prize Drawing Registration: If you plan to use a drawing for prizes during the Builders & Remodelers Show (BRS), you must register your drawing before the show opens. Register your drawing online: brsmn.org/exhibitor-resources.

ASAP » Food/Beverage Registration: If you are interested in providing at food or beverage at your booth contact Heidi Hudson with Kelber Catering to make arrangements, 612-335-6082. No outside food or beverage is allowed.

JANUARY 17 » Lead Retrieval Advance Order Deadline: Lead retrieval system provided by Trade Show Leads.

JANUARY 29 » Event Rental Advance Order Deadline: Official Service Contractor, Brede Exposition Service. Rental items such as tables/chairs, carpet, etc. The Brede Service manual also has order forms for:

• AV- Provided by PSAV• Electrical- Provided by the Minneapolis Convention Center• Compressed Air, Water, Drain, Gas—Provided by the

Minneapolis Convention Center• Internet, Network, Telephone—Provided by Smart City • Plus more

FEBRUARY 11 » Register Booth Personnel: Link provided at brsmn.org/exhibitor-resources. Check in at the registration desk beginning at 10:00 AM on February 13 to get your name badge. Exhibitors must have a name badge to get on to the show floor.

Education sessions for associates can be registered for separately at BRSMN.org/register

MOVE-INTUES., FEBRUARY 11 » 4-11PM

WED., FEBRUARY 12 » 7AM-12PM

MOVE-OUTWED., FEBRUARY 12 » 7-11PM

THURS., FEBRUARY 13 » 8AM-12PM

All booths must be set up by 1:00pm on Wednesday, February 12. Loading dock closes at 12:00pm day of show. (Show hours 2:00-7:00 pm)

Exhibits may not be taken down until the show closes (7:00pm).

• Large Booths: EXHIBITORS WITH BOOTHS 10’ x 20’ OR LARGER and/or using heavy equipment MUST SET UP on Tuesday, February 11. No trucks on show floor.

• Unloading: Exhibitors must be prepared to unload their own materials with their own hand trucks and dollies. Vehicles must be removed as soon as possible from the unloading area. Loading dock closes at 12:00pm day of show.

• Forklifts: Exhibitors requiring forklifts should make arrangements prior to move-in with Brede Exposition Services. Heavy equipment will be charged forklift and operator rates. No forklifts allowed after 12:00pm day of show. Call Brede at 612-331-4540 for verification and any questions.

• Failure to Tear-Down: If the booth is not down by noon on Thursday, February 13, the booth will be dismantled and the exhibitor will be charged removal costs.

• Loading: Make sure your booth is packed up and ready to move out before you bring your vehicle to the dock.

• Remaining Materials: If you have products or literature to be picked up later, be sure to mark them: DO NOT TRASH - HOLD FOR PICK UP.

• We encourage exhibitors to remove as much as possible at show closing as the Convention Center will begin preparing for the next show.

PARKING DURING THE SHOWThere are a limited number of spaces to park your auto: per day in the Marshalling Yard. Parking will be sold on a first-come first serve basis the

first day of move-in. Check on availability at Exhibitor Services, locate near the loading dock at the rear of the exhibit hall. Otherwise Convention Center

parking plus nearby ramps will be available. GET THE MOST FROM YOUR BRS EXHIBITOR EXPERIENCE

EXHIBITOR TIPS

WE’VE PUT TOGETHER SOME HELPFUL TIPS FOR YOUR PRE-SHOW PLANNING, SHOW DAY SUCCESS AND POST-SHOW FOLLOW UP.

MARKETINGWork your marketing plan now to maximize your efforts at the show. Here are four things to start on now:

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Add your company logo and a listing

of products or services to the show

website BRSMN.org

Place an ad in the BRS section of

the Digest

Mail (email) all past, current and

prospective customers on your list

‘Come see us at the show!’

Order logoed promotional items to

give away from your booth

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OTHER HELPFUL CONSIDERATIONS: • Conduct preshow marking (less than 20% of

exhibitors do this)—methods include: direct mail, email, fax broadcast, telemarketing, press release/editor contact

• Use your own list of customers and prospects

• Email all your customers and let them know what your booth number is and if you’ll have any special activities, events, or incentives

• Direct mail pieces should sell the offer/incentive, not the product

• Tweet before, during and after #BRSMN

• Post event photos via social media

S T E P 1

BOOTH DESIGNHere are a few tips to help you get on the right track with your booth design:

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Engage your customers with prizes,

games and attentive staff

Follow booth set-up requirements,

included in the Exhibitor Info Kit

Have fun and be creative!

Consider decorating to reflect this

year’s theme

OTHER HELPFUL CONSIDERATIONS: • Key messages are recognized in about four to six

seconds and are conveyed graphically

• Attendees should be able to tell who you are, what you do, and why they should stop

• Use colors or materials in the design to reinforce your message

• Take into consideration what components are inside your booth: staff, attendees, structure itself and furnishings—allow enough space for all components and any activities

• Think about how you can integrate the BRS show theme into your booth while still representing your key messages and product/company name

S T E P 2

ATTENDEE ENGAGEMENT & STAFFINGFollow these five tips for successful engagement at the show:

Prepare to answer common questions:

“Can you tell me more about this product?”

“Can I hear more about your company?”

Staff the booth with an appropriate

number of representatives—a general

rule is 55 square feet per person working

the booth

Encourage interaction with your

demeanor—do the best you can to

engage your prospect with a warm smile

and good eye contact

Make a connection and keep the

conversation going by asking open-

ended questions:

“What brings you to the show?”

“Are you looking for anything specific?”

“What do you think about product X or Y?”

Exchange information and determine the

next step, whether its a meeting, email

or phone call

STAFFING CONSIDERATIONS: • Prepare for success by practicing with role-playing

• Present a united front by preparing three to four qualifying questions as well as a three-to four-sentence elevator speech that all your staffers know

• Create a contest for your staff to incentivize qualified leads

• Consider your staff a team, and look the part —keep staff apparel uniform with color

• Don’t sit, read (includes email and texts on your phone), talk on the phone or eat/drink in your booth

• You represent your company at all times, be conscious of that in the food/bar lines, at pre or post events or even in the restroom

• Don’t over staff your booth, it will turn away potential attendees

ENGAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS: • Ask meaningful questions, not ones that can be

answered with a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’

• Offer an incentive for an attendee to provide their contact information

• Collect basic attendee demographic information (only about half of exhibitors collect this basic data)

• Track information requests from attendees (only approx. 40% of exhibitors do this)

• Giveaway items should be designed to increase your memorability, communicate, motivate, promote or increase recognition of your company at home or the office

• Giveaways should be used as a reward for the attendee doing something

S T E P 3

LEAD MANAGEMENTPrepare for success after the show, here are several tips for managing your leads:

Have your follow-up action steps

planned before the show

Rate your leads and follow-up

by priority

Be consistent with your follow-up

Consider utilizing the BRS endorsed

lead retrieval system Trade Show Leads

for easy collection of data during the

show and organized information for

follow-up

OTHER HELPFUL CONSIDERATIONS: • Contact hot leads immediately after the show

• Follow-up with leads within one week of the event

• Use a system, like Sales Force to manage your leads, classify them as A, B or C

S T E P 4

W W W . B R S M N . O R G / E X H I B I T O R - R E S O U R C E S

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